Birders used to refer to Strathdearn as raptor or Eagle alley and it certainly still lives up to it's name. As well as the regular Eagles and many Buzzards we've been getting some great sightings of displaying Goshawks recently over the forests. Peregrine have also been putting on spectacular shows in the glen and Merlin have returned now following the Meadow Pipit flocks as they arrive.
Red Kite, Hen Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk are all regular sights in the area and while looking for these there is usually plenty else to see along the river and hillsides. Ring Ouzel should be in any day now and the river will soon be alive with the piping of Common Sandpipers, Dipper are already sitting on nests, we watched them nest building several weeks ago under one of the bridges.
Mountain Hare have just begun to change in to their summer coats and recently we've been seeing Brown Hare quite far up the glen sharing the same habitat. Begs the question can they ever hybridise, it has been recorded in Sweden apparently where they share the same habitat though I have no idea what they would look like  or if they'd change colour in winter! An interesting study for someone there.

A great day out recently guiding with photographers Sylvia and Sue in search of some of the local specialities. The day started with 14 Black Grouse at the local lek, then after breakfast on to Strathdearn where first stop was for a lovely view of a Dipper, perched with nesting material near one of the bridges.
A party of wild Goats at the roadside also gave some great photo opportunities as they grazed on the juniper bushes. At the end of the Strath a pair of Peregrines displayed over head with some amazing acrobatics and it wasn't long before we spotted some Mountain Hares sheltering amongst the rocks on the hillside. Strong gale force winds made a walk up the hill rather tricky this time, however this excellent photo of some very happy Mountain Hares was taken the following day in better conditions!
After a stop for lunch in Carrbridge the next top was Abernethy forest for Crested Tit, and it wasn't long before a very obliging bird was entertaining us at a local feeding station as well some very tame Coal Tits feeding from the hand! Thank you Sylvia and Sue for a great day out.

Apologies for not updating the blog recently, due to family matters I had to spend most of Feb down in England. Back in Scotland now and it seems at last there are signs of spring! This stunning view of the Cairngorms taken yesterday at Loch Morlich.
Breeding waders are back on the farnmland of the Strath, the calls of Curlews, Lapwings and Oystercatcher filling the air once again. On the hills there is still a lot of snow and Ptarmigan with Snow Bunting showing well around the ski area. At the Black Grouse lek birds have been showing well every morning with 7-10 males strutting and bubbling as it gets light. Dipper are also nest building under the bridge in the village and I had a rare sighting of a Kingfisher fly under the bridge near Grantown last week! A rare sight indeed in the Highlands. One bird which is always a challenge at any time of year is the Goshawk but in early March they can often be seen displaying above the forests. On Sunday along with a client we went in search of this elusive bird. Incredibly we managed to spot one within five minutes of arriving at a prime site, as it flapped high obove the tree-line along with several displaying Buzzards, a Peregrine and Red Kite. Merlin, Hen Harrier and both Eagles are also regular at this great raptor watching location.
The website is now updated with more Autumn Short Breaks and several Natural History Breaks in summer, all staying at the Grant Arms Hotel. Click the "Breaks" link in the menu bar for more info.